Ministry of Ecology and Environment: Accelerating the mercury-free transformation of the PVC industry

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According to a statement released by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment on January 26, a responsible official from the Department of Solid Waste and Chemicals of the ministry, in response to journalists’ questions regarding the \"Announcement on Issuing Regulatory Requirements for 12 Mercury-Containing Products, Such as Mercury-Containing Batteries, and for the Processes Involving the Use of Mercury-Containing Catalysts in Polyurethane Production,\" said that China will focus on key areas such as the research and development of mercury-free catalysts, in order to accelerate the transition of the polyvinyl chloride industry toward a mercury-free model. 　　Recently, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in conjunction with relevant departments, issued a notice that specifies the requirements for the production, import, and export control of 12 mercury-containing products, including mercury-containing batteries, and prohibits the use of mercury-containing catalysts in the production of polyurethanes. 　　On November 3, 2023, the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (hereinafter referred to as the “Convention”) adopted the “Amendment to Annexes A and B of the Minamata Convention on Mercury pursuant to Decision 5/4 of the Fifth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury” (hereinafter referred to as the “Amendment”). The relevant responsible officials stated that with the official entry into force of the Amendment, the scope of regulation imposed by the Convention on mercury-added products and mercury-using processes has been further expanded, and the requirements have become increasingly stringent. For example, the deadline for phasing out mercury-based processes used in the production of polyvinyl chloride via the calcium carbide method has become a key focus in the negotiations held at recent Conferences of the Parties to the Convention. 　　As the largest user of the calcium carbide process for polyvinyl chloride production in the world, the progress toward mercury-free transformation in related industries in our country has always attracted significant attention from the international community. The responsible official emphasized that China has successfully achieved the goal set for the PVC industry – to reduce the mercury usage per unit of product by half by 2020 compared to 2010 – and has made progress in this regard; however, it is still necessary to make breakthroughs as soon as possible in terms of mercury-free catalyst technology and its economic viability. 　　The responsible official stated that in the next step, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment will further strengthen coordination with relevant departments, focus on key areas such as the research and development of mercury-free catalysts, increase policy support and guidance for technological innovation, accelerate the transition of the PVC industry toward mercury-free processes, ensure full and effective fulfillment of all obligations under the Convention, and continue to demonstrate China’s role as a responsible major country in global environmental governance.